The Annual Maine HR Convention

05/13/2026

The 2026 Maine HR Convention may be over, but planning for 2027 is already underway!

Our team at Nimble Group is already getting organized for next year’s Convention, and we can’t wait to do it all again with this incredible HR community.

Save the date for the 2027 Maine HR Convention: May 3–6, 2027

Whether you joined us for inspiring sessions, meaningful conversations, networking, laughter, or simply the energy of being together with HR professionals from across Maine and beyond, we hope you’ll plan to join us again next year.

Want to be first in line for updates and registration details? Hold your seat for 2027 today: https://zfrmz.com/LrV3wdN4vndPa8r1k8Lc

Thank you again for making such an unforgettable week. We’re already looking forward to what’s ahead. 💙

05/08/2026

And just like that, the 2026 Maine HR Convention has ended.

Our fourth and final day focused on turning insight into action. From navigating Maine PFML and the latest employment law updates to exploring how generational differences shape leadership, communication, and workplace culture.

We were challenged to think differently about connection, respect, and relationships during How to People, and closed the week with Dr. Matt Poepsel helping attendees transform inspiration into a practical game plan they can bring back to their organizations.

Most importantly, this week reminded us of the power of community. The conversations, collaboration, laughter, learning, and energy throughout the Samoset made this year’s Convention truly special.

Thank you to every attendee, speaker, sponsor, exhibitor, volunteer, and partner who made unforgettable. We are so grateful to this incredible HR community and cannot wait to do it all again next year.

05/07/2026

Day 3 of the 2026 Maine HR Convention focused on what’s next for HR and how leaders can drive meaningful impact in the workplace and beyond.

From smarter meetings and stronger communication to AI in recruiting, succession planning, and workforce development, today’s sessions challenged attendees to think strategically about the future of work.

Eric M. Bailey’s keynote, The Cure for Stupidity, brought humor and brain science together to help us better understand human behavior, communication, and conflict in the workplace. We also explored how HR can strengthen culture, influence leadership, and build psychologically safe environments where people can thrive.

The day wrapped with a live podcast conversation featuring Matt Poepsel, PhD and Maine Commissioner of Labor Laura Fortman, connecting workforce trends and public policy directly to the realities HR leaders are navigating every day.

And to close it all out? A little friendly competition and plenty of laughs at Trivia Night.

What a week it’s been.

05/06/2026

Day 2 of the 2026 Maine HR Convention delivered big ideas and even bigger energy.

We kicked things off with fresh perspectives on managing healthcare costs, followed by Dr. Kylie Bragdon’s keynote on leading through change and building the workforce of the future. There may have been a couple of special guests 🦞.

Throughout the day, attendees dove into workshops on pay transparency, compensation strategy, onboarding, workplace safety, and positioning HR as a true strategic partner; walking away with practical tools and new ways of thinking.

The afternoon keynote, Optimistic in Ambiguity, challenged us to lead with resilience, creativity, and confidence in uncertain times.

We closed out the day with plenty of laughs and connection at Evening Entertainment. Great conversations (and a little humor) are what this community does best.

On to Day 3!

05/06/2026

Day 1 of the 2026 Maine HR Convention was magical!

We kicked off the morning with two impactful experiences: Maine SHRM Leadership Day and our HR Basic Training cohort. From strategic discussions and state council updates to hands-on sessions covering compliance fundamentals and the full employee lifecycle, the day began with a strong focus on building confident, capable HR leaders at every level.

As attendees began arriving at the Samoset, the energy only grew. First-time attendees connected during Convention Orientation, gaining insider tips, building early relationships, and setting themselves up for a successful week ahead.

The official Convention Kick-Off brought us together to celebrate this year’s Maine SHRM HR Award winners, an inspiring reminder of the incredible work happening across our HR community.

Then, we set the tone for the week with an unforgettable opening keynote from Lisa Ryan. Her message was centered on gratitude, connection, and “The Way We Show Up”. It challenged us to rethink how everyday moments can drive engagement, retention, and real organizational impact.

We wrapped up the day with our welcome reception, where conversations flowed, connections deepened, and a few brave attendees tested their skills at the mobile axe pit.

And we’re just getting started.

05/02/2026

A behind-the-scenes look at the Nimble Group team setting up for . We can’t wait to see you all in TWO days!

04/29/2026

LAST CHANCE: You have less than 24 hours to register for and get access to this incredible kick-off event with Hebba Youssef! Register now: https://cvent.me/Lak2l5

We can't wait to see you all tomorrow afternoon!

We’re kicking things off early, and you’re invited!

Join us on Thursday, April 30 (1–2 PM ET) for a live, virtual conversation with Hebba Youssef to set the tone for the 2026 Maine HR Convention.

This isn’t your typical pre-event session. It’s a chance to pause, reflect, and talk honestly about what HR leaders are navigating right now: burnout, trust, shifting expectations, and constant change.

Why join live?
• Get inspired before the Convention begins
• Hear a refreshingly real perspective on today’s workplace
• Walk away with insights you can actually use
• Connect with fellow Maine HR leaders in a shared starting moment
• Submit your questions live

Can’t make it? We’ve got you covered with a recording, but there’s nothing like being in the moment.

Already registered for the Convention? You’re invited.
Not yet? There’s still time to sign up and attend the kick-off, but not much.

Secure your spot: https://cvent.me/Lak2l5

04/28/2026

Big news for Maine employers!

Last week, Governor Janet Mills signed Maine’s new Pay Transparency law, and it’s going to reshape how organizations approach compensation, hiring, and communication.

Starting July 13, 2026, employers with 10+ employees must include pay ranges in job postings, along with other key requirements. The big question now: are you ready?

At the Maine HR Convention, we’re tackling this head-on with a timely session:
Pay Transparency in Maine: Rethinking Compensation through an Emerging Legal Lens
Tuesday, May 5, 2026

Get clear on:
• What you’re required to disclose
• Which roles are impacted
• How to stay compliant without disrupting your workplace

This isn’t theoretical; this is practical guidance you can take back and use immediately.

Samoset Resort | Rockport, ME
kicks off next Monday, May 4th.

With the law already signed, now’s the time to get ahead, not catch up.

Last chance to register: https://cvent.me/Lak2l5

04/27/2026

One week. That’s it.

The 31st Annual Maine HR Convention is almost here, and everything we’ve been building toward is about to come to life.

From powerful keynotes to real conversations with HR peers who get it, this is your space to step away from the day-to-day and focus on what’s next.

If you’re already registered, get ready. Your week of connection, insight, and inspiration starts now.

If you’ve been meaning to sign up, this is your moment.

Registration is closing soon, and you don’t want to be the one hearing about it after the fact.

Join us for the conversations that matter, the ideas that challenge you, and the community that keeps you going.

May 4-7, 2026 | Samoset Resort | Rockport, Maine

Secure your spot before it’s too late: https://cvent.me/Lak2l5

04/23/2026

What if uncertainty wasn’t something to survive, but something to leverage?

In her keynote, “Optimistic in Ambiguity: Creative Resilience for the Future of Work,” Caroline Brookfield is diving into what it really takes to lead when nothing feels certain.

Because let’s be honest, HR leaders are navigating constant change. And the old playbook? It’s not cutting it anymore.

In this session, you’ll explore:
• How to build resilience without burning out
• Why creativity is a critical leadership skill right now
• How to strengthen your “tolerance of ambiguity”
• Practical strategies you can bring back to your team immediately

This is about more than staying afloat, it’s about creating workplaces that can actually thrive in uncertainty.

Hear directly from Caroline and get a preview of what’s in store.

Not registered yet? There’s still time: https://cvent.me/Lak2l5